Amazingly, Pauline Potter followed an extreme diet, including a breakfast of six scrambled eggs, a half-pound of bacon, four hash browns, and six slices of buttered bread, all washed down with an ice cream milkshake, in her attempt to gain a title.
The Remarkable Journey of Pauline Potter
This is the incredible story of a woman who became the world’s heaviest person by indulging in a breakfast of six scrambled eggs, half a pound of bacon, four hash browns, and six slices of buttered bread, accompanied by an ice cream milkshake. She then completely changed her life to lose over 500 pounds.
Amazingly, Pauline Potter used this dramatic diet in an effort to secure the title. By 2012, weighing 50 stone, the then-mother-of-one officially earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the World’s Heaviest Living Woman 2012. Others were waiting in the wings to take the title from her. Pauline was one of the women who belonged to a group called Supersize Big Beautiful Women, who held the belief that the bigger a person became, the more beautiful they were.
Eventually, years of rubbing corn starch on skin folds, which required assistance from others to prevent yeast infections, led her to decide to go on a diet, starring in the popular US show My 600lb Life along the way. By 2021, she was unrecognizable after shedding more than 500 pounds. It was a difficult journey with many challenges and triumphs.
Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, known as Dr. Now, who worked with her on the show, had to contend with her initial refusal of the 1,200-calorie diet she was given. At one point, she even decided to abandon her weight loss journey entirely, despite her desire to lose weight so she would be less of a burden on her family. She initially gained weight under the doctor’s supervision but eventually, Pauline managed to lose enough weight to qualify for surgery. Despite a few setbacks on the road, she succeeded in losing 300lbs and was approved for skin removal surgery.
By January 2023, Pauline had managed to lose over 520lbs and was prepared to live a healthier lifestyle in her home state of California. In October 2021, Dr. Now had shown exactly how well Pauline had done in her weight loss journey with a stunning before and after picture of the reality TV star on Instagram.
He wrote to his 602k followers: “I am very proud of the commitment and progress Pauline has made. When a patient wants to work with me to lose over 500 pounds, the first step is understanding their belief in the ‘power of commitment’ to achieve their weight loss goals.”
“Weight loss surgery should not be viewed as a quick fix. It is a tool to help support you in your weight loss journey.”
He continued: “The results are inspiring when you commit to making the life changes necessary to become a candidate for surgery & to lose excess fat. You continue to invest in yourself & your goals, you have the proper support & mindset. If you are doubtful of the possibilities. Ask yourself, ‘What is holding you back in life right now?’ If you are willing to commit to making changes, you will be able to see results.”
Pauline has since become inactive on social media, with no new posts on Facebook or Instagram since early 2023, when she seemed thrilled with her new lifestyle.
